Annddeerrss sAAnnddeer rssoon n daanndd MMaariiaa ... Andersson and Maria... · Annddeerrss...

AAnnddeerrss AAnnddeerrssssoonn aanndd MMaarriiaa SSvveennssddootttteerr Name Anders Andersson Name Maria (Maja) Svensdotter

Born 1774 Born February 5, 1771

Parish Norra Solberga Parish Barkeryd

Died March 12, 1847 Died June 1, 1867

Parish Flisby Parish Flisby

Occupation Farmhand/Crofter Occupation Maid/Housewife

Children of Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter

Early Years (1771-1797)

Anders Andersson, Sven Hög’s father,

was born sometime in 1774 at Svenstorp, a soldier’s croft in the southern part of Buckhult, a farm in

western Norra Solberga Parish.1 His parents were Anders Isaacson and

Annika Larsdotter. Anders had an older brother, Isaac Andersson, and two young sisters, Maja Andersdotter

and Stina Andersdotter. Anders and his family lived together at Svenstorp

until 1788. For most of his life, Anders attended Norra Solberga Church. When he was a boy, Magnus

Carlström served as the chaplain at the church, and probably played a part in any type of education Anders

Andersson received.

Since his parents were crofters, Anders had a very meagre childhood. Svenstorp only had one room, which Anders’s family of six was crowded within.

Anders received little formal education and he probably didn’t even know when his birthday was.2

1 Norra Solberga Household Examinations, Vol. AI:1 (1783-1784), page 13

2 Although 1774 is always documented in records as Ander’s birth year, no specific date of his birth is ever listed.

Name Born Parish Died Parish

Anna July 4, 1798 Norra Solberga February 3, 1869 Norra Solberga

Sven January 28, 1801 Norra Solberga January 3,1847 Linderås

Johannes August 6,1805 Norra Solberga December 1,1868 Stora Åby

Anders January 21,1808 Norra Solberga Before 1890 Unknown

Maja Lena July 7, 1812 Norra Solberga February 15, 1877 Linderås

Svenstorp - Where Anders Andersson was born

in 1774 and spent the earliest years of his life.

Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter

2

By the early 1780s, Anders Andersson was working alongside

his father, Anders Isaacson, and brother, Isaac Andersson, in the

fields at Buckhult. Even as a young child, Anders worked long and gruelling hours in the fields to help

support his family. In times of leisure, Anders probably played with the other children of Buckhult and

went ice-skating on Lake Fallegölen in the winter months.

In 1788, Ander’s family moved to

Hallebo, a croft in northwest Buckhult. Earlier that year, there

had been a fire at the croft, which had killed a two year old infant. Hallebo was around the same size as

Svenstorp. Anders Andersson grew into manhood at Hallebo, and his duties at Buckhult became more and

more laborious. In April of 1793, tragedy struck the household of

Hallebo once again, when Annika, Ander’s mother, died of tuberculosis.3

3 Norra Solberga Deaths, Vol. C:2 (1730-1800) , page 473

Household Examination record showing

Anders Andersson at Svenstorp, Norra

Solberga Parish - 1784

The site of Hallebo – Where Anders Andersson

lived as a teenager

One frosty March morning when a fourteen year old Anders Andersson was

working in the fields of Buckhult, a loud cry from far away could be heard. From the northwest, an ominous stack of smoke rose over the fields; one of the neighboring crofts had caught on fire. Immediately, Anders parents, Anders and Annika, urgently ran towards the smoke to help put out the fire. Anders and his brother, Isaac, swiftly followed their parents as they ran towards the smoke, while Ander’s sisters, Maja and Stina, stayed back at Svenstorp. By the time Anders reached Hallebo, the croft that was on fire, the flames had been extinguished. Two crofters from Hesslebo, Jaen and Anders, stood outside the croft’s burnt shed, where the fire had been. From inside the shed came the shrill, agonizing wailing of a woman, Stina Andersdotter. Although the fire had been extinguished, the damage had already been done; little Johannes, the two year old son of Stina Andersdotter and her husband, Soldier Gabriel Bengtsson-Fogel, had been left unattended in the croft, and had suffocated to death from inhaling all of the smoke. A tear rolled down young Anders Andersson’s cheek.

The Tragedy at Hallebo in 1788


3

After the death of Annika, Anders Isaacson, Ander’s father, was unable to provide for his four children. Anders Andersson was only nineteen at this time,

and decided to leave Buckhult to find employment as a farmhand. By 1797, Anders was a farmhand at the Släthult estate in Norra Solberga Parish.4 It’s

possible that the Ribbing family, who lived at Stumperyd, the manor north of Buckhult, were friends with the Queckfeldt family, the owners of Släthult, and referred Anders to them as a farmhand.

Maria Svensdotter, Sven Hög’s mother, was born

February 5, 1771 in Gransäng, Barkeryd. Her parents were Sven Nilsson and Anna Månsdotter.

She was probably named after her maternal grandmother, Maria Engdahl. Maria was baptized by Pastor Sven Fovelin at Barkeryd church on February

10, 1771.5 The witnesses at her baptism were her uncle Olof Löfberg, his wife Anna Maria Löving,

Petter and Lisken from Esperyd, workhand Petter from Tovrida, and maid Åhra from Brittebo.

4Barkeryd Marriages, Vol. C:3 (1730-1809), page 342

5Barkeryd Births, Vol. C:2 (1725-1772), page 307

Transcription:

d. 10 Febr. dopta Maria Svensdotter if-

ran Gransäng föddes 5 ejusdem af moder

Anna.

Vittan

Löfberg i Gissarp fru Anna Maria i Gissarp

Petter i Espryd pig. Lisken i Esperyd

dr.(äng) Petter i Tovrida, pig. Åhra i Brittebo

Baptism well at Barkeryd

Church were Maria

Svensdotter was baptized

Baptism Record of Maria Svensdotter – February 10th, 1771

Translation:

The 10th

of February. Baptized Maria

Svensdotter from Gransäng born on

the 5th

[day] in the same month as her

mother Anna. Witnesses: Löfberg in

Gissarp, wife Anna Maria from

Gissarp, Petter from Espryd, maid

Lisken from Esperyd, workhand

Petter from Tovrida, maid Åhra from

Brittebo.


4

Maria spent the first 18 years of her life at the farm of Skattegården in

Gransäng, where her father, Sven, was a farmer and a smith.6 She had

two older brothers, Jonas and Sven, and a younger sister, Beata.7 As a girl, Maria helped her mother, Anna,

with her chores. She was friends with several of the other girls at Gransäng, including Britta (b. 1769) and Lena

(b. 1774), the two daughters of Pehr Håkansson and Maria Månsdotter.

Maria’s family attended Barkeryd Church. The minister of the church during Maria’s youth was Johan

Fovelin. Fovelin was well loved by Barkeryd Parish, and was likely an

influential person to Maria when she was growing up. He probably taught her how to read, as records indicate

she knew all five parts of the Catechism by age 13.8

Tragedy hit Maria’s family in 1787, when her mother Anna passed away of

dropsy. At this time, Maria was only 16 years old. In 1789, she became employed at Dynefall, a farm village in Nässjö Parish.9

6 Barkeryds Deaths Vol. C3 (1773-1809), page 290

7 Nässjö Household Examinations ,Vol. AI:8 (1771-1782), page 18

8 Barkeryd Household Examinations, Vol. AI:4 (1784-1784) , page 45

9 Nässjö Household Examinations, Vol. AI:10 (1789-1793), page 295

Household Examination showing Maria

Svensdotter at Gransäng, Barkeryd Parish - 1777

Gransäng, Barkeryd – the village Maria

Svensdotter grew up at

The birth of her younger sister,

Beata Svensdotter, in 1775.

The death of her maternal

grandfather, Måns Olofsson, in

1775.

The death of Sven Fovelin, the old

pastor of Barkeryd Church, in

1777.

The death of her great-uncle

Sergeant Major Bengt Bengtsson

Engdal, who also lived at

Gransäng, in 1782.

The Reign of King Gustaf III

(1771-1792). Gustaf III was the

king of Maria’s youth. Gustaf took

the throne two days after Maria

was born. When he was

assassinated on March 29, 1792,

Maria was 21 years old and

working as a maid at Gissarp, her

uncle’s farm.

Some of Maria Svensdotter’s childhood memories probably

included…


5

Maria probably arrived at Dynefall in October of 1789. At this time, Dynefall was

owned by the farmer Nils Andersson, who lived there with his wife and three

children.10 Maria worked as a maid at Dynefall for a year and lived in a croft with Jonas Nilsson, his wife Lena, and their four

children: Marta, Stina, Lena, and Nils. Three to four families usually lived at Dynefall. Maria worked as a maid at

Dynefall for a year. In 1790, she went to work at Gissarp, the farm her uncle Olof

Löfberg owned.11

Maria served as a maid in Gissarp for 5 years. Her brother, Sven,

also worked at Gissarp for the first two years that she was there.

Some of the cousins of Anna, Maria’s mother, also lived at Gissarp, as did several of Maria’s

second cousins. At Gissarp, Maria lived in the main house that Olof

lived in with his wife, Anna Löving, and their son, Jonas.12 Maria probably helped with chores

around the house while living there. In 1791, there was a fire at Gissarp which burned down the

house of Olof’s cousin, Johannes Jonasson.

10

Barkeryd Household Examinations ,Vol. AI:10 (1789-1793), page 289 11

Nässjö Household Examinations, Vol. AI:10 (1794-1800), page 29 12

Nässjö Household Examinations, Vol. AI:11 (1794-1800), page 29

Listing of Maria Svensdotter at

Dynefall, Nässjö Parish -1789

Listing of Maria Svensdotter at Gissarp, Nässjö Parish - 1790-1795

Old house at Gissarp – Late 19th Century


6

1795, Maria’s final year at Gissarp, was filled with hardships. Sven, Maria’s father, was fatally ill with tuberculosis as the year opened. On July 14, he

passed away from the disease, leaving 24 year old Maria without any parents. In December, Olof Löfberg, became sick with a cold. He died on December 13th.

Within six months, Maria had lost the two father figures of her life.

After Olof’s death, Maria was sent to work as a maid at Släthult. At this time, Släthult

was owned by Johan Queckfeldt (b. 1748). Anna Löving, Maria’s aunt at Gissarp, was related to

the Queckfeldt family, so she likely referred Maria to work for

them. Anders Andersson was also working at Släthult at this time as a farmhand, so it’s

probable that he and Maria met during this period. There were probably around ten hired

workers at Släthult when Anders and Maria worked there.13

Since Anders and Maria were both very poor, there’s a good chance the

two’s courtship was spurred by romantic feelings, rather than

reasons of economic advancement (as was common among the upper and middle classes in Sweden at

this time). Courting Anders could have provided Maria with a good deal of comfort after losing her

father and uncle. The two probably had frequent rendezvous at the

beech grove in back of the farm after performing their daily chores at Släthult. Maria’s pregnancy in the

fall of 1797 Anna, with their first child, could have also hastened the

two’s decision to marry. The two had to collect donations from their friends and neighbors at Släthult to

have enough money for the wedding. In particular, they were probably assisted by the Queckfeldt family.

13

Norra Solberga Household Examinations, Vol. AI:2 (1807-1813), page 169

Släthult, Norra Solberga Parish – Where Anders

Andersson and Maria Svensdotter courted

Farmhands and maids regularly interacted with each other on farms, and such working relationships often left to marriage. Anders and Maria likely courted for around a year at Släthult before they were married. One can imagine the two happily dancing together in the beech grove in back of Släthult during the festive Midsummer Day celebrations. Their courtship was signified by the two exchanging small gifts with each other, such as candy, cheese, and other types of food, as well as practical items (such as tools). Different types of gifts were given to signify different points of the courtship. Their engagement was formally announced in front of the inhabitants of Släthult and subsequently celebrated.

The Courtship of Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter


7

On December 12, 1797, Anders and Maria were married at

Barkeryd Church by Johan Fovelin, the pastor of Maria’s

youth.14 Since her father, Sven Nilsson, had passed away, Maria was given away in marriage by

her brother, Jonas Svensson, who signed legal authorization for Anders to marry his sister.

Other witnesses at the signing of the marriage document were

three maids from Barkeryd named Brita, Cajsa, and Lena, who were Maria’s close friends.

Sven, Maria’s other brother, and Beata, her sister, were no doubt

in attendance, as well as Anders Andersson’s father, Anders Isaacson, and his three siblings:

Isaac, Maja, and Stina.

14

Barkeryd Marriages, Vol. C:3 (1730-1809), page 342

Gissarp – late 19th Century

In the late 18th Century, single women had no independent legal status in Sweden. At their weddings, they needed the consent of a giftoman, to be married. The giftoman was usually the bride’s father. If the bride’s father was deceased, the oldest brother of the bride performed the role. This was the case with Maria Svensdotter, who was given away by her eldest brother, Jonas. Once a woman was married, her legal representation was entirely through her husband. A woman could only have independent legal status if she was a widow.

Women’s Legal Status in 18th Century Sweden

How Barkeryd Church looked when Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter were married there in 1797


8

Wedding Record of Anders Andersson and Maria

Svensdotter - December 12th, 1797

Transcription:

Vigdes- d. 12 Dec. Anders Andersson ifrån

Släthult och Solberga socken med

Maria Svensdotter ifrån Gransäng.

1797

Skatteg. Brudgumman dräng i tjenst

vid gårdsbruk. Bruden pigan samma

tjenst. Han 23 år gl. och hon 26 år.

Vigslen förrästade Prösten Fovelin.

Morgongåfvan var efter lag.

Brudgumman attest fines vid handlin

garve och Bruden befall af giftomän-

nen är ? å lysesedlen.

Vitnen varo: Jonas i Barkeryd, pig. Bri-

ta, ibid, Cajsa, ibid, och Lena ibid.

.

Translation:

Translation:

Married -the 12th

of December, Anders Andersson from Släthult and Solberga Parish with

Maria Svensdotter from Gransäng Skattegård. The bridegroom is a farmhand in service on a

farm. The bride is in service in the same place. He is 23 years old and she is 26 years old. The

marriage was performed by Pastor Fovelin. The morning-gift was according to law. The

bridegroom’s attest exists on a document and the bride’s permission by the bride’s marriage

guardian on marriage form. Witnesses present: Jonas of Barkeryd, maid Brita of Barkeryd,

Cajsa, and Lena of Barkeryd.

.

Translation:

The morgongåfvan, or “morning gift”, was a payment or gift given from the groom to the bride, which symbolized the promise of future inheritance more than a physical gift. Since it was specified by law, it was a legally binding promise. Although size of the morgongåfvan wasn’t specified by law, the morgongåfvan was legally required. Morgongåfvan were often given in small units of silver. 1 lod (the unit of measurement in Sweden at this time) was 13.7 grams in today’s measurements. The groom didn’t have to actually own the amount agreed to in the morgongåfvan. Rather, it was determined upon what he expected to inherit. The morgongåfvan could be seen as a symbolic return payment for the dowry. Since Anders Andersson was very poor, his morgongåfvan was quite small.

Morgongåfvan “The Morning Gift”


9

Life at Havsvik (1798-1809)

After their marriage, Anders and Maria moved to Havsvik, a farm in northern Norra Solberga. At first,

they lived at Norsholmen, a small croft called at the farm.15 Ander’s

parents had previously lived at Havsvik around 1770, which explains his connection to the farm and why

he and Maria moved there. Here, the two were crofters in the service of a farmer named Hans Ryberg and his

wife, Ingeborg Nilsdotter.16 Considering that Anders and Maria

would later have Hans and Ingeborg as the godparents for their son Anders, the two couples likely had a

good relationship.

Havsvik was just west of the tranquil Lake Flisbysjön. On the other side of the lake was the Flisby Church, which Anders and Maria could gaze out and see from across the fields and lake.

As a crofter, Anders had to wake up very early on most days to start working in the fields for the Ryberg family. Around 8, he and the other crofters and

farmhands at Havsvik met outside the main farmhouse. After a prayer was said, Anders and the others were probably given bread and water for breakfast.

Anders worked in the fields for most of the day, and the only times he had breaks were for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Anders and the other crofters and farmhands laboured through strenuous and monotonous work in the

fields until dusk, and probably didn’t return home until after sunset. As a crofter, Anders would’ve received no more than 40 shillings (or cents) a day for

his work, as well as some bread for his family.

15

Norra Solberga Births, Vol. C:2 (1730-1800), page 508 16


Site of Norsholmen – Where Anders and Maria

spent their first years of marriage

By the early 19th Century, the croft system was a staple in the agricultural infrastructure of rural Sweden. Each farm usually had at least three crofts in the 19th Century. While the increase of crofters on a farm helped raise a farm’s agricultural yield through the additional labor, it also put greater pressure on the farmer to support the crofters who lived at his farm. Just as crofters were responsible for a hefty amount of work around the farm, so did the farmer have the heavy responsibilities of providing his contracted crofters with enough money, food, and supplies to help them support themselves. In 1860, the number of crofts in Sweden peaked to around 100,000. By the end of the 19th Century, the croft system had gradually faded from Sweden, and workers were paid with cash instead of tenancy. The croft system was formally abolished in Sweden in 1943.

The Croft System in the 19th Century


10

On July 4, 1798, Anders and Maria gave birth to their first child, Anna.17 Anna was baptized two days later on July 6th. The witnesses at her baptism were

Petter Amundson, Stina Månsdotter, Maja Larsdotter and Jan Hansson from Liljeholmen. As Liljeholmen was just a short distance north of Havsvik, all

four of the witnesses lived close to Anders and Maria.

Sometime before 1801, Anders and Maria moved to Sjöstorp, another croft at Havsvik.18 Sjöstorp was

just a short distance north of Norsholmen. Anders and Maria’s

first son, Sven, was born on January 28, 1801 and baptized the following day. The witnesses

were again their friends Petter Amundson, Stina Månsdotter, Maja Larsdotter and Jan Hansson

from Liljeholmen.

17

Norra Solberga Births, Vol. C:2 (1730-1800), page 508 18

Norra Solberga Births, Vol. C:3 (1801-1860), page 1

Baptism Record of Anna Andersdotter – July 6th, 1798

Transcription:

July 4/6 Torparen Anders Andersson och hustru Maja

Svensdotter barn i Norsholmen. Kallade -----------------Anna

Modr 27 år. Petter Amundson, Stina Måns-

dotter, Maja Larsdotter och Jan Hansson i Liljeholmen

Translation:

July 4 (born) 6 (baptized) Crofter Anders Andersson and his wife Maja Svensdotter’s child in

Norsholmen. Called Anna. Mother 27 years. Baptismal witnesses - Petter Amundson, Stina

Månsdotter, Maja Larsdotter and Jan Hansson from Liljeholmen.

Site of Sjöstorp – Where Anders and Maria lived

during the first decade of the 19th Century


11

On August 6th, 1805, Anders and Maria gave birth to their third child, Johannes.19 Johannes was baptized the following day. The baptismal witnesses

were Jan Hanson and his wife Catharina Jönsdotter from Liljeholmen, and Stina Andersdotter from Grimsberg. In 1806, Anders Isaacson, Ander’s father,

moved to Havsvik and lived next to Sjöstorp.

19

Norra Solberga Births, Vol. C:3 (1801-1860) , page 19

Baptism Record of Johannes (Jans) Andersson – August 7th, 1805

Transcription:

Pag 19 Augusti Månad

1805

Jan Anderson 6/7 Föräld. Torparen Anders Andersson och hustru

Maja Svensdotter barn i Sjöstorp under Hafsvik.

Fadd: Jan Hansson och hustru Catharina Jönsdotter i

Liljeholmen, Stina Andersdotter i Grimsberg.

Translation:

Page 19 1805 Jan Anderson

August 6 (born) 7 (baptized) Parents: Crofter Anders Andersson and his wife Maja

Svensdotter’s child in Sjöstorp under Hafsvik. Witnesses: Jan Hansson and wife Catharina

Jönsdotter from Liljeholmen, Stina Andersdotter from Grimsberg.

Anders Andersson’s baptism wasn’t recorded in the Norra Solberga church book from

1774, the year Household Examinations state he was born. Thus, the identity of his

parents was unknown. However, analyzing the names of the witnesses at the baptism

of Johannes Andersson, Ander’s second son, led the way to the discovery of Anders’s

parents, siblings, and even his places of residence growing up! Often, one of the

witnesses at a baptism was a sibling of one of the parents, which is usually inferred if

the witness’s surname is based on the same father of that parent. One of the

witnesses on Johannes Andersson’s baptism record was Stina Andersdotter of

Grimsberg. In the Norra Solberga Household Examinations from 1807-1813, Stina

Andersdotter’s name is found at Grimsberg, and her year of birth is given as 1783. A

baptism record for the only Stina Andersdotter born in Norra Solberga in 1783 showed

her parents as Anders Isaacson and Annika Larsdotter of Svenstorp. Furthermore,

the Norra Solberga Household Examinations from 1783-1784 show the household of

Anders Isaacson and Annika Larsdotter at Svenstorp, which lists ten year old Anders

as one of their sons. Since this record is from 1784, that Anders must have been born

in 1774, confirming that he was indeed the same Anders Andersson!

Research Strategies: Looking into the Names of Baptism Witnesses


12

Anders and Maria had their fourth child,

Anders, on January 21, 1808.20 The witnesses

at Anders’s baptism the following day were Hans Rydberg and Ingeborg

Nilsdotter, as well as Lars Pehrson and Catharina Persdotter,

Anders and Maria’s neighbours who lived at

Norsholmen, the croft they used to live. The tiny wood croft of

Sjöstorp now housed six heads, and Anders and

Maria had the struggle of feeding and providing for four children under

the age of ten with little resources. On October 4, 1808, Anders

Isaacson, Ander’s father, died at Havsvik.

20


Transcription:

Anders Andersson 21/22 Föräldr. Torparen Anders Andersson och hustru

Maja Svensdotter barn i Sjöstorp.

Fadd. Hans Rydberg, Ingeborg Nilsdt i Hafsvik

. Lars Pehrson Catharina Persdotter i Norsholmen.

Translation:

Anders Andersson 21 (born) 22 (baptized) Parents: Crofter Anders Andersson and his wife

Maja Svensdotter’s child in Sjöstorp. Witnesses: Hans Rydberg, Ingeborg Nilsdotter from

Hafsvik, Lars Pehrson and Catharina Persdotter from Norsholmen.

Baptism Record of Anders Andersson Jr. – January 22nd

, 1808

According this to Page 1 of the 1972 High Family Book: Statement One: Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter had a daughter named Sophia Johanna Hög. She married a man named Mr. Gustafson and the two had a daughter named Johanna Sophia Gustafsson, who married Sven John III in July 1868. False: Anders and Maria had two daughters named Anna and Maja Lena, but none named Sophia Johanna. While the wife of Johannes, or “Sven John III” (Sven Andersson Hög’s youngest son) was indeed named “Johanna Sophia and was his first cousin, it was through his maternal, not his paternal side. Statement Two: Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter had three sons: Sven, Grip, and Borg. Misinterpretation: “Grip” and “Borg” were the surnames that Johannes and Anders, Anders and Maria’s two youngest sons, were assigned when they joined the military.

Fact of Fiction: The Names of Anders and Maria’s Children According to the 1972 High Family Book


13

Although most of Anders Andersson’s time at Havsvik was spent laboring in the fields, at least he had the company of others, such as Hans Rydberg and Lars

Pehrson. As they toiled in the fields together, they undoubtedly passed the long hours with dynamic conversation. Perhaps as they laboured in the fields

together, they discussed the Vicar Claes Magnus Livin’s sermon from the previous Sunday. Around the time of harvest, the men discussed what kind of crop yield would come out of Havsvik for the year.

Likewise, Maria Svensdotter probably spent a good deal of time with the other women at Havsvik, such as Catharina Persdotter and Ingeborg Nilsdotter.

They may have exchanged recipes and household advice.

“Work done jointly was greatly preferable to the thralldom of solitary toil. Any man who did heavy and solitary work in field or meadow was liable to be assailed by melancholy reflections or fall to pondering the sense of his lot in life. But many hands make light work. To be able to chat as one worked was an asset. Anyone who has ever done heavy manual labor knows how contact with one’s mates can help offset its monotony. Good comradeship and friendly chat enliven men’s spirits, make the long working hours seem shorter. ‘With both hand and mouth we can lend each other a helping hand’, says an old Swedish proverb.”

Moberg, Vilhelm. History of the Swedish People p. 192

Cultivating Friendships in the Fields

“Potato Harvesting” by Carl Larsson


14

Anders and Maria’s family attended Old Norra Solberga Church, which

everyone in the parish attended. Since they were poor, the family sat in

the fattigstugukyrkan, or the back of the church reserved for the poor and dis-privileged. The church was always

crowded on Sunday services, and it was unheated throughout the winter.

At this time, Per Johan Öhrling was the chaplain of Norra Solberga Church, while Claes Magnus Livin

was the vicar of Flisby and Norra Solberga Parishes. Starting in 1807, once a year, Claes visited Anders and

Maria’s household to take keep record of the names, ages, and biblical

knowledge of the family members.

Anders and Maria’s days at Havsvik were filled with long hours of mundane labor, and it was probably often a struggle to

provide for their children. Despite this, their time there was likely rich in the friendships they made. Most importantly,

Havsvik was where they started a family and four of their five children were born.

Household Examination of Anders Andersson and

Maria Svensdotter’s family at Sjöstorp, Hafsvik,

Norra Solberga Parish - 1809

In the last two years that Anders and Maria lived at Sjöstorp, Sweden was engulfed in a war against Russia. This was the second time Sweden had gone to war with Russia in that Anders and Maria’s lifetimes, and the two would have frequently seen soldiers training throughout the parish, as well as recruiting the parish’s youth. Such sights could have inspired their three sons to eventually join the military. Anders and Maria probably frequently discussed the happenings of the war with their friends and neighbours. After the war was over, Sweden had lost possession of Finland, and never became involved in a war again. The Finnish War would have been one of the first memories for two of Anders and Maria’s sons, Sven and Johannes. Although all three of their sons would later join the military, they never had to worry about any of them being killed in war, since Sweden has been at peace since 1809.

The Finnish War

Old Norra Solberga Church – The church that

Anders and Maria’s family attended


15

Life at Hesslebo (1809-1824)

In October of 1809, Anders and Maria’s family moved to Hesslebo, a croft at Stumperyd, the farm just

north of where Anders grew up.21 At this time, Stumperyd was still owned

by Cavalry Captain Per Ribbing, just as it had been when Anders Andersson was growing up.

Therefore, Anders’s familial connections to Stumperyd must have been what brought his family to

Hesslebo. Per Ribbing owned other farms, however, and didn’t reside at

Stumperyd anymore during this time. While Anders and Maria lived at Hesslebo, two other crofts at

Stumperyd were inhabited, Sjenoff and Spånshult.

Sjenoff was inhabited by Johannes Andersson (b. 1769), his wife Judith Isaacsdotter (b. 1785), and their children: Anders (b. 1809), Anna Lena (b.

1811), Sven Johan (b. 1813), and Stina Greta (b. 1815). Spånshult was inhabited by Sven Carlson (b. 1757), his wife Brita Månsdotter (b. 1762), and children Carl (b. 1796) and Catharina (b. 1799). Just as they had done in

Havsvik, Anders and Maria worked closely with their neighbours while they lived at Hesslebo. They grew to be friends with these neighbours as well, and

would later ask them to be the godparents of their youngest daughter, Maja Lena. By this time, Anna, their eldest daughter, was 9 years old and had almost certainly started assisting Maria with chores around the croft, as well

as helping take care of her younger brothers, Johannes and Anders. Sven, their eldest son, was now 8, and probably already helping Anders in the fields.

21


Stumperyd – The farm Anders and Maria worked

at from 1809 to1824

Household Examination of Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter’s family at Hesslebo, Stumperyd, Norra Solberga Parish - 1811


16

Maria gave birth to their youngest child, Maja Lena, on July 7, 1812.22 Maja was baptized the next day. Her baptismal witnesses were their neighbours:

Johannes Adamsson, Judith Isaacsdotter, Jonas Jonasson, and Catharina Månsdotter.

Hesslebo was the place where Anders and Maria’s four

eldest children, Anna, Sven, Johannes, and Anders, grew

into young adults. While Anna may have been friends with Catharina, the daughter

of Sven Carlson and Brita Månsdotter, Sven was likely friends with their son Carl.

Johannes, Anders, and Maja Lena, may have been friends

with the children of Johannes Andersson and Judith Isaacsdotter: Anders, Anna

Lena, Sven Johan, and Stina Greta.

22


Transcription:

Maja Lena Föräldr. Torparen Anders Andersson och hu-

Andersdotter 7/8 stru Maja Svensdotter barn i Hesslebo:

Faddr. Johannes Adamsson Judith Isaacsdt

i Stumperyd Jonas Jonasson Catharina Månsdotter

Translation:

Maja Lena Andersdotter 7 (born) 8 (baptized) Parents: Crofter Anders Andersson and his wife

Maja Svensdotter’s child in Hesslebo. Witnesses: Johannes Adamsson and Judith Isaacsdotter

from Stumperyd, Jonas Jonasson, and Catharina Månsdotter.

Hesslebo – Where Anders and Maria lived from 1809

to 1824

Baptism Record of Maja Lena Andersdotter – July 8th, 1812


17

Claes Magnus Livin, the vicor of Flisby and Norra Solberga Parishes, jotted down some interesting notes about Anders and Maria’s children while they

lived at Hesslebo. For example, he wrote that Anna, their eldest daughter, had a fine silk dress. As Anders and Maria wouldn’t have had the money to buy her

such a nice dress, it’s likely that it was a gift from their friends or neighbours. It also states on this record that Sven, their eldest son, didn’t use tobacco.23

Notes for Transcription Translation

Anna H.C. (Hela Catekesen) 15 Whole Catechism 15

Sven H. C. m. väl 9 Whole Catechism very good. 9

Johannes I n c likaså 8.4:5 H? 1 and also 8:4:5:H (sections of the Catechism)

Anders H.C.väl 5 1. 2:3 Whole Catechism good and 1. 2:3 (sections of

the Catechism)

Maja Lena 1 Läser Reads

During the yearly household examinations, each of Anders and Maria’s

children were probably questioned for around two hours on their Biblical knowledge. In the 1818-1828 household records for Hesslebo, Claes Magnus

Livin wrote that Maja Lena, Anders and Maria’s youngest daughter, could read the Catechism very well.24 This tells us that despite being poor, Anders and Maria’s family were literate. Claes must have been rather impressed by Maja

Lena’s reading ability to make a note of it, so she may have been a quite intelligent.

23

Norra Solberga Bygd och Folk, del I 24

NorraSolbergaHousehold Examinations, Vol. AI:4 (1818-1828), page 108

Household Examination of Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter’s family

at Hesslebo, Stumperyd, Norra Solberga Parish: 1814-1818


18

In 1820, Carl Axel Stiernspetz became the owner of Stumperyd.

Like Per Ribbing, Stiernspetz owned other farms and didn’t

reside at Stumperyd. Throughout the next few years, Anders and Maria’s children grew into

adulthood, and began to leave their parents’ croft to find work. Anna moved to Nässjö Parish in 1820 at

the age of 22. Sven left Hesslebo in 1821 to work as a farmhand in

Håkarp, the farm west of Stumperyd. He later joined the military in 1826, and was given a

new surname, Hög. Sven married Anna Stina Johansdotter in 1828.

The two resided at Sörhemmet croft in Linderås Parish, where they had four children who survived infancy:

Margaret, Gustaf, Sven Johan, and Sophia. In 1822, Johannes left Hesslebo to move to Nässjö Parish.

The 1829-1834 household records for Anders and Maria’s family indicate that Anders was a “sjukl” or bed-confined, sick person. This unknown illness was

likely the cause of the family’s departure from Hesslebo in 1824. That year, Anders and Maria’s family left Hesslebo and moved to a cottage called Ljungholmen at the farm Gullarp in Flibsy Parish.25

25

FlisbyHousehold Examinations, Vol. AI:4 (1829-1834) , page 176


Maria Svensdotter’s family at Hesslebo, Stumperyd,

Norra Solberga Parish: 1818-1828 (right page)


Maria Svensdotter’s family at Hesslebo, Stumperyd,

Norra Solberga Parish: 1818-1828 (left page)

Transcription:

väl, hel cat 3/2

24

Translation:

(good, whole Catechism)March 2, 1824

Transcription: 3/2

24Hufvudst Hela Cath

läser mycket väl

Translation:

March 2, 1824

The fourth main part of the Catechism.

The whole Catechism. Reads very well.

Transcription:

alla 5 hfd-st (alla 5 huvudstycken)

Translation:

All 5 parts from the main Catechism


19

The Fate of Anna Andersdotter In 1820, Anna moved to Nässjö parish, where she worked as a maid on various farms. By 1822, she was working at Stackeryd, a farm in east Nässjö. While there, she met her husband, Sven Petersson, who was a farmhand at

Stackeryd. Sven was born June 1, 1795 in Norra Sandsjö Parish and worked as a farmhand and later as a crofter. On October 30, 1823, Sven and Anna

were married at the Old Nässjö Church.26 The two were married by Pastor Rosengren, and the witnesses included Ulrica Sophia Rosengren, Mister Wykmark, and maid Anna Maria Johansdotter in Prästgården. After they were

married, Sven and Anna moved to Hesslebo, where they briefly lived with Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter’s family.

26

Nässjö Weddings, Vol. CI:3 (1775-1824), page 730-731

Transcription:

Vigdes- d. 30 Oct. Sven Pettersson och Anna Anders-

dotter, Begge från Stackeryd, Brudgummen,

drång

1823 [Next page]

Dräng och torp tilltrådare under Stumperyd,

28 år gl. Bruden, Piga, i tjenst, 25 år gl.

Lysninggarne skedde d. 12 och 19 oct af Almärk

d 26 oct af Rosengren, på 12 sk chart: Banco.

Morgongåfva efter lag. Brudens till hands-

krift finns i arkivet. Vigseln förrättade

Prosten Rosengren. Vittnen: Demoiselle

Ulrica Sophia Rosengren. S.M. Adjuncten

Herr Wykmark och Pig. Anna Maria Jo-

hansd. i Prästgd.

.

Translation:

Married the 30th

of October Sven

Pettersson and Anna Andersdotter. Both

from Stackeryd, bridegroom, a farmhand,

soon to be crofter, from Stumperyd, 28

years old. Bride, maid in service, 25

years old. Banns occurred the 12th

and

19th

of October by Almärk, d. 26th

October by Rosengren of 12 shilling

stamp tax. Morning gift according to law.

The bride’s signature is in the archive.

The marriage conducted by Pastor

Rosengren, witnesses: Demoiselle Ulrica

Sophia Rosengren, Herr Wykmark and

maid Anna Maria Johansdotter in

Prästgården.

Wedding Record of Sven Pettersson and Anna Andersdotter

October 30th, 1823


20

Children of Sven Petersson and Anna Andersdotter

After Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter left Hesslebo in 1824, Sven and Anna continued to reside

there for six more years.27 The two had ten children together: Petter

Johan (b. 1824), Maja Lena (a stillborn in 1825), twins Anders Magnus and Sarah (b. 1827), Carl

Gustaf (b. 1829), Anna Sophia (b. 1832), Stina Katrina (b. 1834), Helena Maria (b. 1837), Johanna (b. 1840),

and Sven August (b. 1843).

In 1830, Sven and Anna’s family moved to Nässjö Parish.28 The

following year, they moved back to Norra Solberga, where they resided

at Korset, a croft at the farm Kongseryd, for eight years.29

27

Norra Solberga Household Examinations, Vol. AI:4 (1818-1828), page 214 28

Nässjö Household Examinations,Vol. AI:16 (1830-1838), page 66 29

Norra Solberga Household Examinations,Vol. AI:5 (1829-1834), page 54


Peter Johan January 6, 1824 Norra Solberga January 21, 1891 Norra Solberga

Maja Lena October 24, 1825 Norra Solberga October 24, 1825 Norra Solberga

Anders Magnus June 29, 1827 Norra Solberga Unknown Unknown

Sarah Lisa June 29, 1827 Norra Solberga Unknown Unknown

Carl Gustaf September 9, 1829 Norra Solberga Unknown Unknown

Anna Sophia January 22, 1832 Norra Solberga July 7, 1897 Jönköping

Stina Katrina November 12, 1834 Norra Solberga February 10, 1926 Barkeryd

Helena Maria August 3, 1837 Norra Solberga Unknown Unknown

Johanna April 16, 1840 Norra Solberga August 16, 1881 Norra Solberga

Sven August April 1, 1843 Norra Solberga Before 1890 Unknown

Household Examination of Sven Pettersson and

Anna Andersdotter’s family at Hesslebo,

Stumperyd, Norra Solberga Parish: 1828

Korset - Where Sven Pettersson and Anna

Andersdotter resided from 1831-1839


21

By the end of the 1830s, something occurred which made

Sven and Anna move into a backstuga, or poor house, just like

Anders and Maria had. In 1839, Sven and Anna’s family moved to Gåvetorp, a backstuga at

Målegärde farm.30 Here, they spent the remainder of their days. Of all Anders and Maria’s children,

Anna was the only one to remain in Norra Solberga Parish, living

only a few miles southwest of her parents.

30

Norra Solberga Household Examinations, Vol. AI:7 (1841-1845) , page 132

Household Examination of Sven Pettersson and Anna

Andersdotter’s family at Gåvetorp, Målegärde, Norra

Solberga Parish: 1845

In 1857, Peter Johan Svensson, Sven and Anna’s eldest son, returned to live at Gåvetorp with his wife, Anna Lisa Johansdotter. The two had three children: Anna Louisa (1853-1858), Johan August (b. 1855), and Anna Louisa (b. 1859). Although he probably had little to no training in the field, Peter Johan (better known as Johan) practiced dentistry. Several people from Norra Solberga came to Gåvetorp for various tooth afflictions. Johan’s dentistry practice came to an end in 1888, when he in an attempt to the pull the tooth of a man, he accidently shattered the tooth, while the bleeding root of the tooth remained. In addition to faulty dentistry, Johan also practiced bloodletting. Apparently, Johan’s bloodletting services did more harm than even his poor dentistry; a disastrous bloodletting session Johan performed ultimately caused the death of Gustaf Andersson, a man from Danstorp in 188828. The story was even published in the newspaper “Eksjö-Tidningen,” the newspaper of the nearby town Eksjö:

The farmer Gustaf Andersson at Danstorp used to phlebotomize once every year. At the beginning of May his right arm started aching and he thought it was time for his bloodletting. He walked to Johan and he “opened a vessel” on his arm. But the arm swelled and he had to contact Doctor Berg in Nässjö. But he had got a bad blood poisoning and had to be transported to Eksjö. He got bruises and wounds all over his body and after two months he died.

(June 22, 1888) Johan probably ceased bloodletting after Gustaf’s death. He later died at Gåvetorp on January 21, 1895.

Peter Johan Svensson - the “Dentist” and Bloodletter

http://tyda.se/search/phlebotomize

http://tyda.se/search/blood%20poisoning


22

Sven Petterson died at Gåvetorp on February 28, 1847 at the age of

52.31 Anna survived her husband by nearly 22 years. While at the

village of Slägbergen, Barkeryd Parish in early 1869, Anna fell ill with dropsy (probably heart

failure). She died on February 3, 1869, at the age of 70.32 Although she had lived in Norra Solberga,

Anna was buried in the cemetery of Barkeryd Church on February

14, 1869.33

31

Norra Solberga Deaths, Vol. C:4 (1844-1857) 29

Norra Solberga Deaths, Vol. C:5 (1861-1876) , page 248 33

Norra Solberga Deaths, Vol. C:5 (1861-1876), page 249

Gåvetorp - Where Sven Pettersson and Anna

Andersdotter spent their final days.

Transcription:

Febr. 3/Febr. 14. 1 Andersdotter, Anna, Enka från Gåfves- 70 (År) 7 (Månad) 25 (dag) onki

torp under (Släthult) Målgärde.

Afled hos Slägbergen i Barke- Begrafven i Barkeryd och attest

ryds församling och by. från kyrkoherden O. Montelin.

Translation:

February 3rd

(died) February 14th

(buried) Andersdotter, Anna, widow from Gåfvestorp under

Målgärde. Age 70 years, 7 months, 25 days of dropsy. Died in Slägbergen, Barkeryd Parish.

Buried in Barkeryd Parish according to the attest of Vicar O. Montelin.

Burial Record of Anna Andersdotter – February 14th, 1869


23

The Fate of Johannes Andersson Grip

Johannes, Ander’s and Maria’s second eldest son, left his parents’ home at the age of 17 years old for Nässjö Parish in 1822.34 By 1826, he was living in

Lommaryd Parish.35 On April 28, 1826, Johannes enlisted in the military, where he was given the new surname, “Grip” (also spelled Gripp).

After joining the military, Johannes moved to the Kriseby farm in Stora Åby Parish, Östergötland County, where he was assigned to Rote No. 101 of the

Vadstena Company.36 Here, he probably met his wife, Anna Greta Larsdotter. Anna was born May 17, 1802 in Trehörna Parish, Östergötland County. The

two were married in Stora Åby on January 4th, 1828.37

34

Norra SolbergaHousehold Examinations , Vol. AI:4 (1818-1828), page 214 35

Stora Åby Household Examinations, Vol. AI:6 (1836-1840) , page 473 36

Muster rolls of Vadstena Livgrenadjärregemetet (infantry) 37

Stora Åby Marriages, Vol. CI:3 (1824-1854), page 491

Wedding Record of Johannes Andersson Grip and Anna Greta Larsdotter

January 4th, 1828

Transcription:

Vigde par i Åby 1828

No 1. Januari månad.

Johannes Grip 4 Lifgrenadier å Kriseby ågor 22 25 1

Anna Greta Larsdr piga ibm. lyst. d. 25/11, d. 2 och 9 Dec.

Translation:

Married couples in Stora Åby 1828

No 1. Married January 4th

. Johannes Grip of Kriseby Regiment to maid Anna Greta

Larsdotter. Marriage banns held the 25th

of November, the 2nd

and 9th

of Dec.

The meaning of the surname “Grip” The word grip in Swedish means “griffin.” The surname Grip was a variation of

an old noble surname. Related Swedish surnames include Gripenlöv,

Gripenborg, and Gripensköld. Johannes was part of the infantry.


24

Johannes and Anna Greta spent the first 13 years of their marriage at Kriseby. Of all Anders and Maria’s children, Johannes lived the furthest away from his

parents, as it would have taken several days to journey from Stora Åby to Norra Solberga back then. Johannes and Anna Greta had four sons: Gustaf (b.

1828), Anders Alfred (b.1832), Johannes (b. 1835), and Carl Ludvig (b.1838).38

Children of Johannes Andersson Grip and Anna Greta Larsdotter

Johannes Junior, the third eldest

son of Johannes and Anna Greta, died on March 13, 1838, just two months short of his second

birthday. Their other three sons lived in Stora Åby for the remainder of their lives. In 1840,

Johannes was reassigned to the Hult Rote No. 100.

In 1841, Johannes and

Anna Greta’s family moved to Trehörna Parish.39 By

1850, they were living at the farm of Byget in Trehörna.40 That year, the

family returned to Stora Åby Parish, where they

resided at a farm called Wästantorp. Johannes and Anna lived here for the rest

of their lives.

38

Stora Åby Household Examinations, Vol. AI:6 (1836-1840) , page 473 39

Stora Åby Household Examinations, Vol.AI:7 (1841-1843) , page 477 40

Trehörna Household Examinations, Vol. AI:8 (1850-1860), page 27


Gustaf November 13, 1828 Stora Åby June 4, 1881 Stora Åby

Anders Alfred October 12, 1832 Stora Åby May 26, 1893 Stora Åby

Johannes May 8, 1835 Stora Åby March 13, 1837 Stora Åby

Carl Ludvig June 17, 1838 Stora Åby December 14, 1878 Stora Åby

Household Examination of Johannes Andersson Grip

and Anna Greta Larsdotter’s family at Kriseby, Stora

Åby Parish: 1836-1840

Stora Åby Church - The church that Johannes Grip’s family

attended


25

Although all of Johannes and Anna Greta’s children remained in

Sweden, some of their grandchildren emigrated to

America. At least two of the children of their son Anders Alfred, Axel Herman (b. 1864) and John

(b. 1870), emigrated to America. Axel Herman Gripp later married Ida Mann, a granddaughter of

Sven Hög.

In 1860, Johannes became ill and retired from the military. After his

retirement, he received a pension for his service for the rest of his life. Johannes died in Wästantorp on December 1, 1868, at the age of 63 and was buried on December 6th.41 Anna Greta died December 26, 1876 in

Wästantorp.42

41

Stora Åby Deaths, Vol. C:8 (1866-1870) . page 145 42

Stora Åby Deaths, Vol. C:10 (1876-1880) , page 151

Household Examination of Johannes Andersson Grip

and Anna Greta Larsdotter’s family at Wästantorp,

Stora Åby Parish: 1850-1855

Wedding of Axel Herman Grip

(grandson of Johannes Grip) and

Ida Mann (granddaughter of Sven

Hög) – December 20, 1895

In the 1860, after serving the military for 34 years, Johannes Andersson Grip became a gratialist soldat, meaning that he was recognized as a retired soldier who received a pension from the Crown for his service in the military. Typically, soldiers could only receive a pension if they had served the military for thirty years. After this, they received a modest pension from the military, allowing them to live semi-comfortably in their final years. Because of their literacy they obtained through the military, retired soldiers often helped the parish ministers, and were usually highly respected figures within the parish.

Gratialist Soldat – Retired Soldiers

Burial Record of Johannes Andersson Grip – December 6th, 1868


26

The Fate of Anders Andersson Borg Anders Junior, Ander’s and Maria’s youngest son, moved to the city of Eksjö in 1826. He remained here for two years, and returned to live with his parents in 1828. In 1829, he moved to Johannesberg, Flisby Parish, where he resided for

a year.43 On September 1, 1830, Anders joined the Jönköping Regiment of the military.44 Upon joining the military, Anders was assigned the surname “Borg.”

Once he joined the military, Anders was assigned to Adelöv Parish, where he resided at Soldattorpet Rote No. 27 (a soldier’s croft).45

43

Flisby Household Examinations, Vol. AI:4 (1829-1834) , page 182 44

Smålands Soldatregister Elisabeth Leek GMR 45

Adelöv Household Examinations, Vol. AI:9 (1831-1835), page 8

Military Record of Anders Andersson Borg

The meaning of the surname “Borg” Borg means “castle” in Swedish. The surname Borg was quite common in 19th

Century Sweden. Over 2,500 people had the name Borg as a surname in Sweden

1890. Most of the people with this surname were soldiers or related to someone

who served in the military.


27

In 1832, Anders married a woman named Chatrina Jonsdotter at Linderås Church. Chatrina was born on August 27, 1894 in Linderås Parish. Sadly, a

year after their wedding, Chatrina died on July 13, 1833.46

Anders was married again on June 23, 1834 to Christina Johannesdotter at Adelöv Church.47 Christina was born on July 4, 1814 in Linderås Parish. Her father, Johannes Bengtsson, was the miller of the village of Mjölarp.

Anders and Christina had five children together: Johanna (b. 1835), Sven Johan (b. 1838), Carl August (b. 1841), Anna Gretha (b. 1844), and Christina (b. 1846).

46

Adelöv Deaths, Vol. C:4 (1827-1861), page 531 47

Adelöv Marriages, Vol. C:4 (1827-1861), page 28

Transcription:

No. 9

Anders Borg 23. Brudgr. Soldat för Adelöfs By och Enkeman 26.

och företedde underskrifvet laga arvskife.

Stina Johannesdotter Bruden piga i Adelöfs soldat. torp i 20.

Ch. 12 Br hennes fader Mjölnaren Johannes

Bengtsson i Mjölarp, lemnade skrifte-

ligt giftemanna tillstånd.

Lys. d. 13, 20 & 27 April.

Vigdes i Prästgården.

Translation:

No: 9 Anders Borg and Stina Johannesdotter 23rd

[of June]

The groom is a soldier, a widower, and has signed for the distribution on an estate. The bride

maid is from a soldier‘s cabin in Adelöf. Her father, the miller Johannes Bengtsson of the

Mjölarps homestead gives his blessings. Banns were held on the 13th, 20th, and 27th of April.

Married at the priest’s homestead. (Anders is 26 and Stina is 20 years old).

Wedding Record of Anders Borg and Stina Johannesdotter – June 23rd

, 1834


28

Children of Anders Andersson Borg and Christina Johannesdotter

On November 11, 1834, Anders Borg was transferred to Mjölarp where he was part

of Rote No. 19. Like all Swedish soldiers of the period, Anders was assigned to work on the construction of various canals,

such as Trollhätte. Anders advanced to the rank of corporal in the military. On

August 6, 1847, Anders was discharged from the military.48

48

Smålands Soldatregister Elisabeth Leek GMR


Johanna March 3, 1835 Adelöv May 3, 1914 Linderås

Sven Johan March 17, 1838 Adelöv April 15, 1875 Adelöv

Carl August March 2, 1841 Adelöv September 22, 1908 Adelöv

Anna Gretha May 24, 1844 Adelöv May, 25, 1913 Adelöv

Cristina December 5, 1846 Adelöv February 17, 1928 Nässjö

Adelöv Church

Military Record of Anders Andersson Borg


29

Anders and Christina’s five children were all born at Mjölarp. Carl August, Ander’s and Christina’s third son, was the father of Gustaf Victor Borg, who

later immigrated to America on Mary 9, 1902, and resided in St. Peter, Minnesota, a place several of his extended family members lived.

Anders disappeared from Adelöv parish in 1855.49 He is

said to have abandoned his wife Christina. Supposedly,

he moved to Stockholm where he was remarried and had more children. No further

records have been found on Anders, and it is unknown when and where he died.

Meanwhile, his second wife Christina died on July 31,

1871 in Adelöv.50

49

Adelöv Household Examinations, Vol. AI:13 (1851-1859) , page 177 50

Adelöv Deaths, Vol. C:6 (1861-1872), page 243

Household Examination of Anders Andersson Borg and Christina Johannesdotter’s family at Mjölarp,

Adelöv Parish: 1851-1859

There is a story that after Anders left Adelöv, one of his sons tried to track him down. His son eventually found him in Stockholm. When he knocked at the door where Anders was living, Anders answered. Beside him was a young child that Anders had fathered upon a new wife. Apparently, Anders Borg had moved to Stockholm to remarry another woman, and had another family with her. This tale has been passed on by a great-great-granddaughter of Anders Borg, and it has yet to be verified.

What Happened to Anders Borg?


30

The Fate of Maja Lena Andersdotter Maja Lena, Anders and Maria’s youngest daughter, left her parents’ home in 1833 at the age of 21 to work as a maid at the farm of Uddarp in Linderås Parish, which was owned by a farmer named Anders Månsson.51

Maja Lena briefly returned to live

with Anders and Maria before returning to work as a maid in

Linderås in 1836. Unlike her siblings, who had a husband or career in the military to support

them, Maja Lena had very little stability in her life. She frequently moved around from farm to farm

throughout her life, never staying at a single place for more than a few

years. Maja Lena lived with her brother Sven at Kapela Ravelsgård in Linderås from 1844-1845.52 The

longest place Maja Lena ever stayed at was at Knutahem-Wennersjo in

Linderås, where she stayed for thirteen years.

Maja Lena never married or had children. She died of pneumonia in Oberga,

Linderås on February 15, 1877 at the age of 64, and was buried on February 25th.53 Maja Lena was the last of Anders and Maria’s children to die.

51

Flisby Household Examinations, Vol. AI:4 (1829-1834) , page 176 52

Linderås Household Examinations, Vol. AI:9A (1841-1846) , page 226 53

Linderås Deaths, Vol. C:7 (1868-1880)

Burial Record of Maja Lena Andersdotter – February 25th, 1877

1833-1833 Uddarp, Linderås

1833-1834 Kappela, Linderås

1834-1836 Ljungholmen, Flisby

1835-1842 Botorp, Linderås

1842-1844 Sänninge, Linderås

1844-1845 Kappela, Linderås

1845-1846 Knutstorp, Flisby

1846-1851 Göberga, Linderås

1851-1864 Knutahem Wennersjo,

Linderås

1864-1868 Göberga, Linderås

1868-1876 Solberga, Linderås

1876-1877 Oberga, Linderås

Places Maja Lena Lived and Worked

When farmhands (draugs) and maids (piga) were hired to work on a farm, they were usually contracted to work for a year. The period of their work contract was called legohjon. At the end of the legohjon, hired work could be rehired, or move on to another farm to work. Farmhands and maids had seven days to report to their new employers. This week was known as flyttdag, or “free week.” It gave the workers a week to visit friends and family, as well as travel to their new farm of employment.

Legohjon - Contracts of Farmhands and Maids


31

Life at Ljungholmen (1824-1867) Although the two had always been poor, Anders’s sickness brought significant hardship upon the family. Since Anders was no longer able to work in the fields of Stumperyd, his family had to leave Hesslebo in 1824. After leaving

Hesslebo, Anders and Maria moved to Ljungholmen, a backstuga (or poorhouse) at Gullarp, a farm in Flisby Parish. Anders' sister, Stina

Andersdotter, had been living there since 1822, so her connection to that farm probably led Anders and Maria there. By this time, Anders and Maria were now in their early fifties. Their three eldest children, Anna, Sven, and

Johannes, had left home to find work to support themselves. The two became grandparents on January 26, 1824, when Anna and her husband Sven had their first child, Peter Johan.

Household Examination of Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter’s

family at Ljungholmen, Gullarp, Flisby Parish: 1829-1834

Ljungholmen near the end of the 19th

Century

Backstugas were small houses or sheds in Sweden inhabited by the sick, elderly, or very poor. The inhabitants of backstugas were known as backstugesittare, and were exempted from taxation. Backstugas were usually located on the parish common land, or on the land of a landowner (with his consent). Although backstugesittare often did some work to support themselves, they were also supported by the farmer whose land they lived on, as well as the parish church.

Backstugas

Mention of Anders

Andersson as a sjukle, or

bed-confined, sick person.


32

When Anders and Maria first moved to Ljungholmen, Gullarp

was owned by Gustaf Arvid Stjernspitr (b. 1789). Gustaf lived

at Gullarp with his wife, Christina Celia Söderströn (b. 1807), and their children.54 Several

farmhands and maids worked at Gullarp, and there were usually 30-40 people living on the farm.

In addition to Ljungholmen, there was another backstuge at Gullarp

called Madstugan, and a croft which was also called Madstugan.

Throughout the 1830s, Anders and

Maria saw several grandchildren born. Counting their grandchildren who died in infancy, the two had at least 27

grandchildren. 21 of those grandchildren survived into adulthood. Since the family of eldest daughter,

Anna, lived the closest, it’s likely they saw Sven and Anna’s children the most.

Their son Sven’s family lived just a day away in Linderås Parish, so there’s a good chance they saw them from time to

time. Since their son Johannes lived a good distance away in Östergötland, it’s unlikely they saw his family very often.

Anders Borg’s family lived about a day away in Adelöv Parish, so Anders and

Maria may have seen them once in a while. Maja Lena spent most of her life in Linderås, so they probably saw her

frequently, especially during her annual free week.

54

Flisby Household Examinations, Vol. AI:4 (1829-1834), page 175

Household Examination of Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter at

Ljungholmen, Gullarp, Flisby Parish: 1840-1845

Gullarp – The farm Anders and Maria lived at

from 1824 to 1867

Since Anders and Maria were extremely poor, they probably didn’t own very much. Most of their possessions were probably crafted by themselves, or occasionally given to them by the farm owners they rented from.

Some of the possessions they owned may have been passed onto their children, for either practical or sentimental value. While it’s unknown if any of their possessions exist today, they would most likely be in the hands of the descendants of Sven Petersson and Anna Andersdotter, who lived the closest to them.

Do any of Anders and Maria’s Possessions Still Exist?


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Anders and Maria spent the remainder of their days at Ljungholmen. While there were some happy moments in their later years, such as witnessing their

children marry and having grandchildren, there was certainly a lot of hardship as well. In addition to the joys of hearing of new grandchildren born

throughout the 1830s and 1840s, Anders and Maria also experienced the sorrows of having at least seven grandchildren die in infancy. The two were now elderly, and many members of their own generation started to pass away.

On December 26, 1835, Jonas, Maria’s eldest brother, passed away.55 Sven, her second brother, died ten years later on December 1, 1845.56

Undoubtedly, the winter of 1847 must have been the most painful time of hardship for Anders and Maria’s family. The previous year, their eldest son

Sven had fallen sick with tuberculosis. On January 3, 1847, he died of the disease. Sven’s death was probably very hard on the elderly paupers. Less than two months after Sven’s death, Sven Pettersson, Anders and Maria’s son-

in-law, died on February 28th at the age of 52. Less than two weeks after Sven Pettersson’s, death, Anders Andersson died on March 12th at the age of 73.

While his death record mentions that he died of age, it could have been a number of diseases that weren’t understood during the time. Anders was buried in the cemetery of Flisby Church on March 21st.57

55

Barkeryd Deaths, Vol. C:4 (1810-1843), page 599 56

Barkeryd Deaths, Vol. F:1 (1844-1861), page 7 57

Flisby Deaths, Vol. C:4 (1832-1860), page 511

Transcription:

Anders Andersson 12 21 Backstugesittare i Ljungholmen

under Gullarp f. i Solberga 1774. Älderom 73

Gift m(ed) Maja Svensdotter. 1

orpynd dotter f. 1812 4/7

, och

levande i Lom(m)ary(d), 2 sn

efterlevande

Translation:

Anders Andersson (died) March 12 (buried) March 21.

Backstuge owner of Ljungholmen, Gullarp in Solberga 1774. Married to Maja Svensdotter. 1

single daughter b. July 4th

, 1812 and lives in Lommaryd. 2 sons surviving. (Died) from old

age, 73 (years old).

Burial Record of Anders Andersson – March 21st, 1847


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Maria Svensdotter continued to live at Ljungholmen following Anders’s death. Since her daughter, Anna, had become a widow around the same time as her,

the two may have tried to console each other. By this time, Maria was already 77 years old. It’s unlikely that she ever imagined that she would live close to

two more decades! During the 1850s, a woman named Lena Månsdotter (b. 1787) lived with Maria

at Ljungholmen.58 Like Maria, Lena was a widow. Maria became a great-grandmother on June 21, 1853, with the birth of Anna Louisa Josefina Petersdotter, the daughter of her grandson (and Anna’s son) Peter Johan.59 On

September 5, 1853, her sister, Beata died60, leaving Maria without any siblings.

Maria attended Flisby Church ever since she and Anders had moved to

Ljungholmen. In 1832, Anders Jacob Cnattingius became the vicar of Flisby and Norra Solberga. He served

as the vicar until 1851, when Andreas Nicolaus Schmidt became the vicar. Because of her poor social status,

Maria probably sat near the back of the church. Across the lake from the

church could be seen the fields of Havsvik, the farm Anders and Maria had first lived and worked after they

married. During the 1850s, Erik and Sven Nordström, two brothers who

were both famous organ makers, attended Flisby Church as well. In 1857, a new church was built.

58

Flisby Household Examinations, Vol. AI:8 (1851-1858), page 224 59

Norra Solberga Births, Vol. C:4 (1844-1857) 60

Barkeryd Deaths, Vol. F:1 (1844-1861), page 23

Household Examination of Maria Svensdotter at Ljungholmen, Gullarp, Flibsy Parish: 1851-1858

Flisby Church


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Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, Maria became a great-grandmother to

several great-grandchildren. In 1855, her son Anders left his family in

Adelöv, and reportedly moved to Stockholm. It’s unlikely that Maria ever saw him again. On February 10,

1861, Maria celebrated her 90th birthday, an age very few people lived to see in her time. Seventeen days

later, on February 27th, her daughter-in-law, Anna Stina Johansdotter, died

and was laid to rest beside Sven Hög, Maria’s eldest son. By 1862, all of Maria’s grandchildren from Sven and

Anna Stina had immigrated to America, leaving no one left from

Sven’s family in her life. The only news that Maria ever heard from her emigrant grandchildren came only

once or twice a year in a letter.

In the 1860s, Maria Svensdotter was in her nineties, and was likely the oldest person in

all of Flisby. Maria had lived at Ljungholmen longer than any of her neighbors, and few of them could probably even remember her husband Anders by the time she died.

Once can imagine Maria in her latter days at Ljungholmen as a woman with long, snow-white hair covered by a raggedy bonnet, hunched over on a small wooden stool next to a cozy fire. While she sits, her soft hands work busily sewing, while casting shadows that move along the fire lit wall. As she sings softly to herself, her mind drifts back to old, happier times.

Her memory wanders to Gransäng, where she spent her youth, and fondly remembers playing with her friends, Britta and Lena, by the Fredriksdals River. Next, she remembers Släthult, where she met Anders, and spending time with him in the beech grove behind the farm. Maria then reflects upon her years at Havsvik, where she and gave birth to most of her children, and then upon Hesslebo, the place they grew up. Of all the places that Maria had lived however, she lived at Ljungholmen by far the longest. By the end of her life, Maria lived for 43 years at Ljungholmen. Everyone who had lived at Gullarp when Maria and Anders first moved there in 1824 were now either dead or had moved away. In her 96 years of life, Maria lived through six kings, two Swedish wars, and multiple famines. Maria is also one of the few people in history who was born before the American Revolutionary War and died after the American Civil War. With her passing ended the age of the High family’s Swedish ancestors.

Maria Svensdotter – The Widow of Ljungholmen

In her later years, Maria Svensdotter may have

looked like this old woman from Dalsland.


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Maria Svensdotter’s long life came to an end on June 1, 1867, when she died of natural causes at the very old age of 96. Maria’s funeral was held at Flisby

church on June 10th and she was buried alongside her husband Anders in the old cemetery of Flisby Church.61

61

Flisby Deaths, Vol. C:6 (1861-1876), page 283

Burial Record of Maria Svensdotter – June 10th, 1867

Transcription:

10 1 Maja Svensdotter från Llungholmen 96 3 11 Enka

under Gullarp, Enka. Efterlemnade 4 myn-

diga levande barn.

Translation:

Maja Svensdotter from Llungholmen, Gullarp, Widow. Survived by four grown living children.

96 years, 3 months, 11 days old.

Old Flisby Cemetery - The Final Resting Place of Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter


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1. What parish was Maria Svensdotter born at?

a. Norra Solberga

b. Barkeryd

c. Flisby

d. Nässjö

2. What was the name of the soldier’s croft where Anders Andersson was born?

a. Hallebo

b. Hesslebo

c. Svenstorp

d. Bygget

3. What farm did Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter meet at?

a. Släthult

b. Gransäng

c. Havsvik

d. Buckhult

4. Who was the vicar who married Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter in 1797?

a. Claes Magnus Livin

b. Sven Fovelin

c. Magnus Carlström

d. Johan Fovelin

5. Where were all five of Anders and Maria’s children baptized?

6. What were the names of the two crofts that Anders and Maria lived at while they

lived at Havsvik? ___________________ and ______________.

7. Who owned the estate of Stumperyd when Anders and Maria first lived at Hesslebo?

a. Bengt Bengtsson Engdahl

b. Per Ribbing

c. Hans Ryberg

d. Gustaf Queckfeldt

8. What type of cottage was Llungholmen?

9. How old did Maria Svensdotter live to be?

10. Where are Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter buried?

Quiz on Anders Andersson and Maria Svensdotter

Answers: 1. b 2. c 3. a 4. d 5. Old Norra Solberga Church 6. Norsholmen and Sjöstorp 7. Per Ribbing 8. A backstuga 9. 96 years old 10. The old cemetery of Flisby Church

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